The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-09-16
the WIDOW couaTols.

THE WIDOW coURTols. |
A 81. Louis Lady Of Very Moderate Aacnns |
LAYS Claim, and Not Without Some show |
Of Reason, to Most Of the Land ON
Which Carondelct 10 Built-ProsPoctive
Litigation.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 7.l''Here am I, working
day and night to support my family, and
ii had my rights I would have all the
land that Carondelet is built on. My poor
boy is working his life out at the Missouri
that it stands ON is in,reality mine"
This was the astonishing assertion that
Mrs. Sophia Courtois made to a report
er this morning. He was tempted to doubt
her sanity for time.
the land?" he asked.
"OnIy a quit-claim from August G.
Marsh, who sold it eighteen years ago. He
said he owned it, and sold it for 500. But
that's q trihing part Of my claim. have
twenty.seven acres willed me from my
mother, Sophia Courtois. 1t is Just north
of Carondelet park. The railroad COM
pany got possession of that from G. Mort;-
mer, to whom l rented it. They hold it
now and defy me.
"The Missouri furnace is the northeast
corner Of my claim" the lady continued,
land the twenty seven acres is the north
west. have the only deed that exists to
thirty-five square miles Of the land in a
compact body from those two points south
and east to the river. No warranty deed
can be given for any part of it, but from
me, and have never given one."
'Have you a deed to it,"
"Not United States deed. That has
never been given. But first it is mine by
right of will made to my husband by
Louis Courtois, and filed in the Probate
Court forty-five years ago. 1t was willed
to him by his grandfather, also named
Louis CourtOis. The latter held it by vir.
tue of grant and letters patent from
Louis XVI. and his Queen, Marie An.
toinette, in consideration Of military serv-
ices. He was commander of the troops at
Fort st. Louis during the frontier wars"
"When this section was secured by the
United States through the Louisiana pur.
chase, in 1873, Thomas Jefferson himself
secured to Mr.. Courtois a new recognition
Of the grant by personal influence.
"Perhaps you don't believe this" said
Mrs. Courtois. 81 will show you tho
papers,"
dusty recesses was drawn an old, time
worn trunk. This she unlocked. Then
she drew therefrom a bundle of musty
parchments and papers.
They were yellow with age and soiled
by handling. One was rs bulky as the
noted omnibus bill. 1t bore the royal seal
of the house Of Bourbon.
The fleur.de-lis in q white field is still
&c nj tho lot trs-D III Of
La Vendee origin. On something like
in French:
From His Royal Majesty Louis XVI. to his
faithful soldier Marshal Louis Courtois, greet
ing:
Know and respect the hand and seal OF my
court all loyal subjects OF the House Of Or
leans. For the valiant defense Of Fort St.
Louis on the 9th Of August 1913 against the
savages 1 make grant to Marshal Louis Cour-
tots. Of six o. leagues Of territory as he may
select in one body about Fort St. Louis. 'front.'
ing the Mississippi. This is to be held by his
heirs during all time. Properly given BY my
hand, this 18th day Of July, Ammo Domini. 1871,
at Rouen.
tSEALI LOUIS AUGUSTA, XVI,
Dauphin and King of France.
This document is also signed by tho
kings secretary, N. Tollendal, and attest
ed by Marquis Lafayette. Before it is an
oil painting showing a rude fort surround
ed by skulking Indians and defended by
French soldiers. The surrounding country
is easy to recognize as that of st. Louis.
There are also letters, valuable chiefly as
souvenirs, from the fugitive, Tallyrand,
and also his enemies, Robespierre and the
first Napoleon.
From the latter is also a recognizance OF
the Orleans grant and promise of protec-
ton, dated 1923, five years after the first
French Empire had fallen. The confirma-
ton of the title by Jefferson is dated March
2S, 1905, fourteen days after his second in
auguration and two years after the Louis
lana purchase was consummated.
Mrs. Courtois will bring suit soon. She
has been deferred by lack Of means. 4
wealthy syndicate, she says, has advanced
the necessary cash. She has employed
lawyers before, but they have acted so
suspiciously that she has doubted their
earnestneSs.
As to the genuineness Of her papers
there is believed to be little doubt. Even
the statute Of limitations can not affect
them.
The property in question comprises all
of CarondeIet south of Kansas avenue.
It's value is variously estimated from $780,
COG, 900 to Sc, 0o0. 900.
st. Joseph's College, the Western Steel
works, Glendale Zinc Works, Missouri
Furnace, Jupiter Rolling Mill, Carondelet
FIGURING Mill and an extensive chemical
factory are built on the claim. 1t also in
wolves two city parks, not to mention
miles of business houses and residences.
Klausman's immense brewery is On the
disputed tract.
A number Of wills appear on the records
of the Probate Court, being always from
Louis Courtois to Louis Courtois, Jr.
They oil vaguely describe large body OF
land,